This episode encapsulates the varied facets of Indian classical music into a 46-minute journey – it features a Carnatic flute performance, a tabla trio and a sarod duet, all performed at the Darbar Festival 2019.

Part I
The episode opens with a composition in the Carnatic derived raga, ‘Nattai’ by virtuoso J.A. Jayanth. Nattai is an auspicious raga which is played usually as the opening piece to any concert. Jayanth’s enthusiastic and structured approach to the raga makes for an impactful rendition. The composition he plays is set to a 5-beat rhythmic cycle called Kanda Chaapu. His improvisations are rich and imbued with melody and with his passionate, unhesitating and brisk layakari, he delivers a surprisingly gripping image of this beautiful raga capturing the hearts of his listeners immediately.

Musicians:
- J.A Jayanth (flute)
- Charumathi Raghuraman (violin)
- Sai Giridhar (mridangam)
- RN Prakash (ghatam)
- Srutti Suresan (tanpura)

Raag Nattai in Kanda Chaapu

Part II
The second piece is a resounding tabla trio – an innovative take to the Indian tabla solo format led by Rayatt with Chakrabarty and Konwar in tandem. One of the youngest UK-based talents in the Indian music scenario, Rayatt received training from Bhai Gurmit Singh Ji Virdee, his grandfather, in who’s memory and honour, the Darbar Festival was started. The trio plays groovy improvisations transposed over a 16-beat rhythmic cycle. Each player uses two right-hand drums – one with a bigger diameter (lower octave) and another with a smaller diameter (upper octave). Each one of these right-hand drums is tuned to the lower and upper tonal Sa or 1st note. The resulting frequency of Ga (3rd) that emerges due to the resonance blending from the three right, bigger diameter drums, is stunning and creates a music of its own underscoring this mesmerising recital.

Tridha Trio consists of:
- Gurdain Rayatt (tabla)
- Parimal Chakrabarty (tabla)
- Kaushik Konwar (tabla)

Part III
The final spell of this episode presents a scintillating sarod duet by the sibling Borkars – Abhishek and Praashekh. In their UK debut which is performed in front of stalwarts like Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee, Pandit Yogesh Samsi and other musicians – all occupying the front row at the Barbican, the Borkars play Raag Hemant, a late evening as well as seasonal raga (autumn). They delightfully strike a balance between virtuosity and sensitive, melodious portrayal of the raga with clear bols, gamaks and taankari. Their elaboration of the raga is spacious and well laid-out creating an imposing effect on the listeners. “We have a healthy competition as siblings but sometimes it also takes the form of a duel,” laughs Abhishek in an interview. They are both temperamentally serene and come with the poise and confidence of a seasoned musician beyond their years.

Musicians:
- Abhishek Borkar (sarod)
- Praashekh Borkar (sarod)
- Parimal Chakrabarty (tabla)

Raag Hemant